This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) started a major road construction project in Central Kenya, aiming to connect four counties in the region.
The Mau Mau Road, a 500-kilometre stretch, will link Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, and Nyandarua counties. The project, which began a month ago, is expected to be completed in two years at a cost of Sh30 billion.
KeNHA Chairman Wangai Ndirangu said the project is on course, with five contractors on site. He added that the government is committed to delivering the road in the shortest time possible.
During an inspection tour of roads in Murang'a and Nyeri counties, Eng Ndirangu emphasized the importance of the project, which will ease transportation of goods between the Mt Kenya region and the Rift Valley.
The Mau Mau corridor was used by fighters during the war for Kenya's independence to penetrate the Mt Kenya region and engage colonial soldiers. The project will start at Gataka area in Kiambu and extend to Njeng'u in Mweiga along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road.
Two other sections will branch through Gatanga and Kigumo constituencies and cut across the forest to Njabini in Nyandarua county. The Mau Mau road will then extend to Naivasha through Njabini for 32 kilometres to connect Mt Kenya region with Rift Valley.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia earlier said the extension to Naivasha was included to connect Central Kenya with the dry port. He added that the project will also benefit traders from the eastern region who will use the Mau Mau route to take their products to and from Naivasha Dry Port.
